Tips on Avoiding Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Periodontal disease is an extremely common condition that is estimated to affect around three quarters of the American population at any one time. It is a serious condition that has considerable ramifications for oral and general health. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and is often caused by poor oral hygiene. Plaque bacteria are present in everyone's mouth and the numbers gradually multiply throughout the course of the day. These bacteria are generally removed through proper brushing and flossing, but if left will quickly harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar can only be removed by dental hygienists, or by a D.D.S. (doctor of dental surgery). When left to build up plaque bacteria will irritate and inflame the gums, causing gum disease.

Early symptoms of periodontal disease (gum disease)

The earliest symptoms of gum disease include noticing that gums feel more tender than normal, and they may look slightly red in colour. Sometimes the gums can look a little puffy, and they are far more likely to bleed when brushed or flossed. These early symptoms of gum disease are called gingivitis, and catching this condition at this stage is vital. Gingivitis is relatively easy to cure, and simply involves making an appointment with dental hygienists to have teeth professionally cleaned. 

Professional teeth cleaning from dental hygienists

Professional cleaning has been proven to be one of the best methods of keeping teeth and gums healthy. It is the job of dental hygienists to scrape away the tartar that builds up in between the teeth, removing the source of inflammation and infection. In addition to professional cleaning it is essential to pay extra attention to brushing and flossing. Teeth need to be brushed twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time, and it's vital to floss once a day. Following a good daily oral hygiene routine should be enough to see significant improvements in gum health in just a couple of weeks. It's important to continue flossing even if it makes the gums bleed to begin with, as things will begin to improve after a few days or so.

Periodontal therapy to treat periodontal disease

If the symptoms of gum disease aren't caught fast enough then the condition will quickly progress into periodontal disease. This is a much more serious condition and can be significantly more difficult to treat. Periodontal disease causes the gums to retract from the teeth, creating pockets around the base of the teeth. People with this condition frequently look as if their teeth have become longer as more of the root area is exposed. Sometimes periodontal disease can become chronic, meaning it can only be held in check and cannot be cured. One of the most popular periodontal therapy treatments for this disease is scaling and planing. This is a deep cleaning treatment whereby the teeth are scaled or scraped to remove all the tartar, before the root area is smoothed or planed to help clear up infection. Planing the roots helps make it more difficult for plaque bacteria to adhere to the smooth surface. Some people are more susceptible towards developing periodontal disease, especially if they have a compromised immune system and suffer from conditions such as diabetes or AIDS-related illnesses.